A good work ethic, a likeable personality, and a good education are all often regarded as important elements for career success. However, even if you have an abundance of all of those things, you might be able to gain an additional edge in the workplace if you have an attractive smile. Conversely, if your teeth are chipped, stained, or crooked, your employer (and prospective employers) might unintentionally hold you back in your career. In this blog post, we will discuss how an attractive smile could affect your experience in the workplace. We will also touch on a few cosmetic dental treatments in Branford that may be able to help you achieve your ideal look.
The Halo Effect
A century ago, a researcher named Edward Thorndike coined the phrase “halo effect” to describe how humans perceive others. He found that when others notice one of a person’s good qualities, they are more likely to automatically attribute other positive characteristics to that person. Throughout the decades, further studies have verified the validity of the halo effect.
An attractive smile can help you to harness the halo effect in your career. When coworkers and supervisors see your magnetic, genuine smile, they may unconsciously decide that you are great at what you do — even if they do not know you very well.
Elements of a Successful Smile
Some aspects of your smile that could help you in your career include:
- Straight teeth. Proper dental alignment can make others perceive you as being more successful, intelligent, and wealthy.
- White teeth. White teeth are often associated with youth and health. Because dental problems cause 16% of the population to miss work, signaling to others that you care about your oral wellness can make you an appealing job candidate.
- Genuineness. Most people can easily identify a forced smile. When you are confident in the way your teeth look, you may smile more freely and more often. Your smiles will help to create an atmosphere of positivity in the workplace.
Achieving a Career-Ready Smile
If you would like to fully harness your smile’s power to move your career forward, there are a number of cosmetic dental treatments that may be able to help, including:
- Professional teeth whitening. Professional treatments offer faster and more dramatic results than over the counter products.
- Porcelain veneers. Veneers can disguise cracks, chips, and minor dental misalignment.
- Metal-free restorations. Dark, metal bridges and crowns are an obvious sign that you have had some past dental work. Metal-free restorations blend in seamlessly with the surrounding teeth.
Are you ready to enhance your career? Your cosmetic dentist in Branford may be able to help!
Meet the Author
Dr. Dean Cloutier is a general and cosmetic dentist with decades of experience. He is a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD) and a Fellow of both the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists. Along with the rest of the team at New Haven Dental Group in Branford, he provides a comprehensive range of services to help patients’ smiles reach their aesthetic potential. If you would like to learn how cosmetic dentistry may be able to move your career forward, contact us at 203-437-9112.